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Key differences between two mysterious corners of the internet
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Do you want to know the difference between the deep web and the dark web? While these two terms are often used interchangeably, the deep web and dark web are not the same. The dark web is a part of the deep web, but not everything on the deep web is part of the dark web. This wikiHow article teaches you the differences between the deep web, dark web, and surface web, as well as how to access each.
Things You Should Know
- The dark web requires a special web browser to access, while the deep web is accessible in any browser.
- The deep web includes anything that is not indexed by a search engine, including emails, bank accounts, and password-protected content.
- Not everything on the deep web or dark web is illegal or illicit, but some of it is.
Steps
Section 4 of 5:
How to Access the Deep Web
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Sign up for a service. Most of what is on the deep web is either password-protected or behind a paywall. To gain access to the deep web, you need to sign up for a service. Some services require a credit card, while others are free to sign up for. Signing up for a service usually requires you to provide some personal information as well as create a username and password.
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Create a strong password. The deep web contains private content. To protect your privacy on the deep web, you need to create a strong password that uses a combination of lower-case and capital letters, numbers, and special characters. You should also avoid using words from the dictionary.
- In addition to creating a strong password, you can also add more security using 2-factor authentication. In addition to entering a password, you will also receive a one-time password via a text message or an authenticator app .
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Sign in to the service. Once you have created a username and a strong password, go to the log-in page for the service you want to access. The log-in page is on the surface web. Sign in using your username and password to access the deep web content.
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Section 5 of 5:
How to Access the Dark Web
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Download an anonymous web browser. The most common web browser used to access the dark web is the TOR browser . However, there are other anonymous web browsers, such as I2P, and Freenet, which can be used to access different websites on the dark web.
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Use a VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. These are used to mask your IP address and conceal your identity while you surf the internet.
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Go to a dark website using an anonymous web browser. The dark web uses special web URLs that cannot be accessed using a standard web browser. For example, the TOR browser is used to access ".onion" websites. [3] X Research source You cannot access an Onion site using a standard browser, like Google Chrome.
- If you want to explore the dark web, you can do so using dark web search engine. These are websites that index dark websites exclusively. Some dark web search engines include Ahmia.fi and The Hidden Wiki. Both of these websites have a surface web version of their website with onion links, but you need to use the TOR browser to access onion links.
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Take additional precautions. The dark web is home to lots of nefarious activity. It's important to take some extra precautions to protect yourself on the dark web. Use an anonymous email and encrypt your messages with PGP . Cover your webcam with duct tape and do not click on any random URLs that you don't know what they are.
- In addition to using an anonymous web browser and email, you can also use an anonymous operating system. Anonymous operating systems, like Whonix, can be booted from a USB drive. When you are done using it, no information is saved and the operating system reverts back to its original state.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I get a computer virus from the deep and dark web?Adam Hack is a Cryptocurrency expert based in Miami, Florida. He is the CEO & Founder at Coin Nerds, a multi-purpose cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade their crypto in-person and online. Founded in 2018, Coin Nerds’ mission is to educate those with little to no experience in the rising Web3.0 economy through a combination of physical storefronts and intuitive online platforms. Through Coin Nerds, Adam has furthered his aim to not only make crypto purchasing increasingly efficient but to also capture the confusion behind crypto research into a necessary requirement for purchasing these assets. The platform prioritizes providing an accessible, customer-centric approach. Adam and Coin Nerds have been featured in multiple publications, including Yahoo Finance, The Wall Street Journal, and Fox Business. Adam recieved a BASc in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo.Absolutely! You will encounter viruses and malware when browsing the deep and dark web. As anonymity is the hallmark of the dark net, lots of illegal activities are being made there, and this is a breeding ground for tons of malicious software. When accessing these websites in the dark web, you are actually entering the underworlds of cyberspace with reduced or nearly no security measures in place. This means there's a chance of being exposed to the infection of files, phishing frauds, and other kinds of cyber threats that may endanger your device's security.
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